lymph vessel (lymphatic vessel)

Physiology

• lymphatic capillaries in the tissue are formed by a single layer of endothelial cells lined by an absent or widely fenestrated basement membrane allowing access to interstitial proteins & particles
• lymph is collected in the tissues from lymphatic capillaries which merge to form larger vessels containing smooth muscle
• these vessels are thus capable of vasomotion
• small & medium sized vessels empty into progressively larger vessels
• lymphatic vessels transport lymph through lymph nodes &/or lymphoid tissue in the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, tonsils, adenoids
• after filtration through lymph nodes &/or lymphoid tissue, lymph is returned to the circulation, most of which drain into the thoracic duct
• smaller amounts drain into the right lymphatic duct

Comparative biology

• lymphatic vessels line the dural sinuses of mice
  • these lymphatic vessels drain CSF into the deep cervical lymph nodes
  • T cells are present in these lymphatic vessels at higher concentration than in blood vessels

More general terms

• anatomic structure

More specific terms

• deep lymph vessel
• lacteal
• superficial lymph vessel
• thoracic duct (Pecquet's duct, van Horne's canal)

Component of

• lymphatic system

Components

• lymphatic endothelium